Bruce Cutler

Bruce Cutler (born April 29, 1948) is an American criminal defense lawyer best known for having defended John Gotti, and for media appearances as a legal commentator.

For the Utah politician, see Bruce R. Cutler.
Bruce Cutler
Born (1948-04-29) April 29, 1948
NationalityAmerican
Alma materBrooklyn Law School
Hamilton College
OccupationTrial attorney
Known forRepresenting John Gotti and Phil Spector
Websitewww.brucecutler.com

Life and career

Cutler's father, Murray Cutler, was a New York City detective who later became a criminal defense attorney. While being interviewed on the radio program Conversations With Allan Wolper on WBGO 88.3 FM, Cutler said that he was inspired by his father's pro-labor, pro-union loyalties to an FDR-style Social Democratic position.[1]

Growing up in Flatbush, he graduated from Poly Prep Country Day School.[2]

Formerly a Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney, Cutler gained notoriety in the 1980s when he won three acquittals for Gambino Crime Family boss John Gotti (including one where at least one juror accepted a bribe in return for voting to find Gotti not guilty).[3]

When Gotti was indicted in 1990 for the 1985 murder of Paul Castellano and several other crimes, presiding judge I. Leo Glasser disqualified Cutler and two associates from representing Gotti. Citing evidence from wiretaps at Gotti's Ravenite club, prosecutors contended that Cutler and his colleagues may have known about criminal activity. Since the attorney–client privilege does not apply in these circumstances, prosecutors argued that Cutler was "part of the evidence" and thus liable to be called as a witness. They also argued that Cutler had represented other potential witnesses and thus had a conflict of interest. Glasser sided with the prosecutors, contending that Cutler was the "in-house counsel" for the Gambino family.[4][5]

Subsequent to his disqualification, Cutler was held in criminal contempt for public statements he made in violation of a court order. [6] Cutler was sentenced to ninety days' house arrest, three years' probation, and an 180-day suspension from practicing law in the Eastern District of New York. [7] On appeal to the Second Circuit, Cutler’s conviction was affirmed. [8]

Cutler appeared in the Robert De Niro and Ed Burns film, 15 Minutes, playing himself. He also appeared on Court TV, with attorney Ed Hayes, discussing criminal cases and current events on Cutler and Hayes, and on the CW network has his own TV show, Jury Duty. He also made two guest star appearances in the episodes "Drawing Dead" and "Open Secrets" of the 4th season of the CBS show Blue Bloods. He is godfather to Hayes' daughter, Avery.[9] Cutler is estranged from his family including his brother, sister, and his son.

Cutler was the lead defense attorney for Phil Spector[10] until August 27, 2007, when he announced that he was leaving Spector's defense due to "a difference of opinion between Mr. Spector and me on strategy."

References
  1. Bruce Cutler on Conversations With Allan Wolper
  2. Hoffman, Jan (April 7, 1993). "AT THE OFFICE WITH: Bruce Cutler; Even Mob Lawyers Get the Blues". The New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  3. Blum, Howard (1995). Gangland: How the FBI Broke the Mob. New York: Pocket. ISBN 0-671-90015-3.
  4. The Goodfather
  5. Last Arrest Archived November 17, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "United States of America, Appellee, v. Bruce Cutler, Defendant-appellant, 58 F.3d 825 (2d Cir. 1995)". Justia Law. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  7. "United States of America, Appellee, v. Bruce Cutler, Defendant-appellant, 58 F.3d 825 (2d Cir. 1995)". Justia Law. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  8. "United States of America, Appellee, v. Bruce Cutler, Defendant-appellant, 58 F.3d 825 (2d Cir. 1995)". Justia Law. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  9. Feuer, Alan (20 March 2005). "Detectives' Lawyers Know the Spotlight". New York Times. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  10. Lawyers Bruce Cutler and Ed Hayes Star in Mafia Cops - The Biggest Mob Trial in Years
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